Double cardan yoke assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a double cardan yoke assembly and in particular, this invention relates to a Double cardan yoke assembly which is used in CV joint of steering column for four wheeler. More particularly, this present invention relates to a double cardan yoke assembly which transmits torque to the wheels. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a double cardan yoke assembly which has the beneficial effects of having, safety and reliability.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) to Foreign application Serial No. Mar. 26, 2015, filed in India entitled “DOUBLE CARDAN YOKE ASSEMBLY”, on Mar. 26, 2015, by Roop Automotives Limited, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a double cardan yoke assembly and in particular, this invention relates to a Double cardan, yoke assembly which is used in CV joint of steering column for four wheeler. More particularly, this present invention relates to a doable cardan yoke assembly which transmits torque to the wheels. Furthermore, this invention, also relates to a double cardan yoke assembly which has the beneficial effects of having, safety and reliability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND THE RELATED PRIOR ART

Tilting multi-wheeled vehicles, in particular, tilting three wheeled vehicles with two front wheels are operated like motorcycles where such vehicles lean into a turn. Unlike motorcycles, an added extra wheel in front provides additional traction for improved stopping and control of the vehicle on slippery surfaces. This type of vehicle is usually lighter, and can be made narrower than a non-titling three or four wheeled vehicle.

Double Cardan joints are similar to double Cardan shafts, except that the length of the intermediate shaft is shortened leaving only the yokes; this effectively allows the two Hooke's joints to be mounted back to back. DCJs are typically used in steering columns, as they eliminate the need to correctly phase the universal joints at the ends of the intermediate shaft (IS), which eases packaging of the IS around the other components in the engine bay of the car. They are also used to replace Rzeppa style constant-velocity joints in applications where high articulation angles, or impulsive torque loads are common, such as the driveshafts and halfshafts of rugged four wheel drive vehicles. Double Cardan joints require a centering element that will maintain equal angles between the driven and driving shafts for true constant velocity rotation.^([10][11]) This centering device requires additional torque to accelerate the internals of the joint and does generate some additional vibration at higher speeds.

The Thompson constant velocity joint (TCVJ), also known as a Thompson coupling, assembles two cardan joints within each other to eliminate the intermediate shaft. A control yoke is added to keep the input, and output shafts aligned. The control yoke uses a spherical pantograph scissor mechanism to bisect the angle between the input and output shafts and to maintain the joints at a relative phase angle of zero. The alignment ensures constant angular velocity at all joint angles. Eliminating the intermediate shaft and keeping the input shafts aligned in the homokinetic plane greatly reduces the induced shear stresses and vibration inherent in double cardan shafts

The patent document JP2011021667 refers to enhance the rigidity and strength of a coupling yoke in a double cardan joint. This double cardan joint includes the coupling yoke, and a socket yoke and a pin yoke connected singingly to respective ends of the coupling yoke via a cross shaft. The coupling yoke includes a base ring, and a pair of supports projected at respective shaft-directional ends of the base ring. The pair of supports have support holes engaged with a shaft of the cross shaft, and tips of the paired supports are connected to each other by an adjacent part.

The other document JP2003120708 discloses a method for easily manufacturing a yoke for a double cardan type universal joint. This yoke forms an elongated blank 10 having five areas constituted in the lengthwise direction by cutting a metallic plate, and these constituted areas are a central area, two end area, and intermediate areas positioned between the central area and the respective two end areas. The two end areas become an installing part of a shaft by mutually overlapping by bending the elongated blank, and a pivot member to be installed in the central area of the elongated blank is put in the aligning relationship in the shaft direction to the shaft. Bores 28 and for installing a cross piece for rotatably installing the yoke in a joining member are preferably arranged in the intermediate area.

According to the document JPH11241730 to inexpensively manufacture a coupling yoke simple in molding and having high strength by projecting arm parts from a semi-cylindrical part to both the sides in a shaft direction, providing two half ring members having holes at the tip parts of the arm parts and welding the half ring members each other. A coupling yoke is provided with two plane symmetrical half ring members. The half ring member is constituted of a semi-cylindrical shaped semi-cylindrical part and a substantially semi-circular arm part extending from the center part of this semi-cylindrical part to both sides of a shaft direction. The arm part is provided with a pin hole into/through which each cross pin is inserted/passed. At both the ends of the semi-cylindrical part, bevels are provided, the bevels of the two semi-cylindrical parts are allowed to abut each other and the two half ring members are integrally joined by welding. As a result, the coupling yoke 1 is easily molded and is inexpensive and strong.

The document JPH11218149 describes a coupling yoke in a double cardan joint, easy to manufacture and low in cost with good material yield. A coupling yoke is provided with a cylindrical member formed by cutting a pipe, and a pair of nearly rectangular plates formed by cutting a band steel plate or blanking a steel plate. Holes are opened in both ends of each plate. The center parts of the plates are overlapped and welded to the cylindrical member so as to oppose the plates to each other.

According to the invention WO2006061663 the technical field of an engine comprises a body with four cylinders, which are double-row installed, along axes of which pistons are in a reciprocal motion. The pistons by means of rods hindedly engage with yoke, which is hingedly installed in the body with a possibility of rocking. The yoke, in turn, is hingedly connected to a wobbler, which is installed by means of bearingon a main shaft of the engine with an inclination with respect to its rotary axis. When looking at the engine cutting, which is perpendicularly carried out with respect to the rotary axis of the main shaft, a medium point of each hinge, providing with an engagement of the yoke with the wobbler, is placed in an angle sector, which is formed, between medium points of the hinges, providing with the engagement of the yoke with rods. In case of the invention realization in accordance with one of its embodiments a connection of the yoke with the wobbler is accomplished by means of spherical of cardan, hinge, and it gives a capability to move the yoke with respect to an oscillating center of the wobbler, and it, in turn, provides with a capability of compression ratio change in the engine cylinders. In case of the invention realization in accordance with another its embodiment the main shaft of the engine and the wobble-yoke unit are replaced out of zone of placing the cylinders with an installation in the same or additional body formation, and the yoke is designed with an elongated axis of rocking and is provided with a rocker, which is connected with the pistons or with joint rods.

The system has a journal cross assembly mounted in double yokes, with two yoke parts each with a foot and a bearing part for the cross journals. The foot parts are connected via coupling faces, and have facing complementary first toothed sections, and there are second toothed sections at an angle to the first. Each foot part is formed as a full flange and is connected flush to the bearing part. The journal, cross assembly has two journal systems, relatively offset through 90[deg], and each with two journals, which are offset through 180[deg] and are positioned on a common axis in parallel planes. Each bearing part has a blind bore for the journals. For heavy-duty cardan shafts. Requires less space, simple fabrication and assembly which has been stated in document of patent application DE102004017104.

The document US2012178541 describes in the existing integral-type coupling yoke, the base portion from which the flange portions protrude is formed of a block-like thick wall portion; however, in the case where the drive-side yoke and the driven-side yoke, which are coupled by the coupling yoke, are spaced apart slightly, when the length of the base portion is extended in the axial direction in order to ensure torsional stiffness, the overall weight of the coupling yoke increases accordingly. As the weight increases, the inertia moment of the coupling yoke increases, so a loss of energy at the time when driving force is transmitted from the drive-side yoke to the driven-side yoke increases.

The document US2006005393 illustrates a method for manufacturing a combined driveshaft tube and yoke assembly includes the initial step of orienting a first component having a first wall thickness and a second component having a second wall thickness to define an overlap region. The first, and second components may have the same or different wall thicknesses, may be formed from the same or different materials, and may have the same or different lengths. Portions of the first and second components are deformed to provide the overlap region with a third wall thickness that is the sum of the first, wall thickness and the second wall thickness. Lastly, a pair of yoke arms having respective openings there through is formed in the overlap region to provide a combined driveshaft tube and yoke assembly. A pair of combined driveshaft tube and yoke assembly can also be manufactured in accordance with this method.

The document 5609/CHENP/2008 states the yoke member of Cardan joint is made in one unitary part of one piece and includes a pivot fork including two pivot arm portions each comprising a crossing hole, the axis of which is the pivot axis of a cross-piece, and a connecting element for the motion transmission shaft and having two tightening portions connected via a junction portion. Each of the two tightening portions comprises a tightening hole. Four reinforcing appendices are arranged on the tightening portions and opposite one another in pairs to form together with the portions a housing tor the motion transmission shaft. The yoke member is stamped in order to give it the desired thickness in highly stressed and lowly stressed regions.

None of these above patents, however alone or in combination, disclose the present invention. The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter folly described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a double cardan yoke assembly and in particular, this invention relates to a Double cardan yoke assembly which is used in CV joint of steering column for four wheeler. More particularly, this present invention relates to a double cardan yoke assembly which transmits torque to the wheels. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a double cardan yoke assembly which has the beneficial effects of having, safety and reliability. dr

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. The drawings are in six sheets.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a double cardan yoke assembly.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide a Double cardan yoke assembly which is used in CV joint of steering column for four wheelers.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide a double cardan yoke assembly which transmits torque to the wheels.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide a double cardan yoke assembly which has the beneficial effects of having, safety and reliability.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 to 12 Shows the assembly of the double cardan yoke according to the instant invention.

The double cardan constant velocity yoke (DCCV Housing) assembly includes a hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube having a pair of end fittings, such as a pair of tube yokes, secured to the front and rear ends thereof. A coupling yoke for a double cardan joint; which includes a pair of mutually facing flange portions each of which has a hearing hole for allowing one of two perpendicular shall portions.

The double cardan constant velocity yoke (DCCV Housing) assembly is used in CV joint of steering column for four wheeler. This is very important part of steering system and it transmits torque to the wheels. Moreover, it plays a very important role in the safety of the vehicle.

This assembly is made in two halves which are welded together to form one complete yoke. It is made from sheet metal and is commonly used throughout the world with two welded joints.

In the impugned invention, two halves is transformed into one single unit with single welding( FIG. 12). The newly invented double cardan constant velocity yoke assembly have a good and enhanced infrastructure and this assembly is now more robust and risk free because of single weld joint the risk factor reduced by 50% and dimensional accuracies were easily achieved.

The processes for making the assembly which comprises Blanking, Embossing, Notching, Bending, Eye hole punching, Logo punching, U-Bending, Final round bending, Flatness, Welding and Coining, Number Punching, Eye hole boring, Honing, Deburring, Washing, Inspection and Packing.

A coupling yoke for a double cardan joint is able to achieve effective weight reduction while ensuring necessary torsional stiffness, is provided. To provide a coupling yoke of a double Cardan joint, reducing its weight effectively while ensuring required torsional rigidity.

Following its formation in the manner described above, each of the double cardan constant velocity yoke assembly can be subjected to one or more finishing operations to precisely define the shape thereof. When finished, each of the yoke assemblies can function, as a newly invented combined driveshaft and yoke assembly. The yoke assemblies can be connected together by a universal joint cross to provide two driveshaft sections having a rotational driving connection there between that can accommodate a limited amount of angular misalignment between the rotational axes thereof. Typically, the cross includes a central body portion with cylindrical portion extending outwardly therefrom. This portion are oriented in a single plane and extend at right angles relative to one another.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current of future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Advantages Over the Prior Art

The double cardan constant velocity yoke (DCCV Housing) assembly proposed by the present invention has the toll owing advantages over the prior art;

a) it is cost effective as compared to others device available in the market

b) It has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient use, high efficiency,

c) It is economical in maintenances.

d) Easy to assemble;

In the preceding specification, tire invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is: 1) A double cardan yoke assembly which comprises: i) a hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube having a pair of end fittings; ii) a pair of mutually facing flange portions; 2) The double cardan yoke assembly as claimed in claim 1 a bearing hole for allowing one of two perpendicular shaft portions. 3) The double cardan yoke assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein risk factor is reduced by 50%. 4) The double cardan yoke assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dimensional accuracies were easily achieved. 5) The double cardan yoke assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein it has a good and enhanced infrastructure. 6) The double cardan yoke assembly as claimed in claim 1 which is now more robust and risk free. 7) The processes for making the double cardan yoke assembly which comprises a) Blanking, b) Embossing, c) Notching, d) Bending, e) Eye hole punching, f) Logo punching, g) U-Bending, h) Final round bending, i) Flatness, j) Welding and Coining, k) Number Punching, l) Eye hole boring, m) Honing, n) Debarring, o) Washing, p) Inspection and Packing. 8) The double cardan yoke assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 9) The processes for making the double cardan yoke assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 